May 2013 Meeting - Blooming Opuntia! We have a seasonally relevant speaker!

The meeting is Sunday, Mother's Day, May 12, at 2:00 pm at the Springs Preserve in the Partnership Room. We have a guest speaker, Dr. Eric Ribbens. A formal abstract is printed below. Don't be intimidated if the text seems a bit sterile. Dr. Ribbens is the author of many publications and articles, even Parent's Magazine. Check out the publications on this website:  e-ribbens@wiu.edu This is going to be informative and entertaining with photos of cactus growing in an unfamiliar landscape. While at the Springs, we hope you bring those special people in your circle of friends or family that have or are performing the important "Mother" role. Perhaps you can take them to brunch first, or for a sweet treat after the meeting at the Cafe. Bring your friends and neighbors that have the lovely Opuntia in their landscape or collections. This is perhaps our only opportunity to hear from one of the members of the "Too Cold for Cactus" pros in person!

GUEST SPEAKER:  Dr. Eric Ribbens
Biology
Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL 61455

TOPIC: Opuntia fragilis

Title: Sometimes I feel like a fatherless child: Opuntia fragilis in the Midwest

Abstract: "Opuntia fragilis, the most cold-hardy of all North American cacti, is widely distributed in western North America, extending east into Ontario in the northern Midwest. I have studied the ecology of Midwestern Opuntia fragilis for 17 years now. I will describe my experiences with Opuntia fragilis, which include building a matrix of pad fates in the Illinois population, documenting a form of self-incompatibility that seems to be preventing sexual reproduction everywhere in the Midwest, and my search for every population of Opuntia fragilis in five Midwestern states. I will share descriptions of its ecology and habitats in the Midwest, the research that we have been and plan to conduct into this species, and some of my experiences along the hunt for this interesting cactus."

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

• Plant of the Month - Opuntia! We'll pick back up on Agaves later. Dr. Ribbens is bringing some pads to swap with a few of us. So, look around your garden and container collection and bring some pads to share with him and the rest of us. The hardier the better! (Anyone got a huge "Dinner Plate" to share that would fill his trunk?)

Spring Show & Sale April 20 and 21

Come back for more details!

Bring a plant to show!  The rules and location can be found at this link:

Moon-Sun Cactus & Koi Garden Nursery

Bring your appetite for new plants!  Bring a friend, neighbor, or relative!

April 2013 Meeting - Spring Arrived!

Come join us at the springs Preserve, 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 14, 2013.  We meet in the Partnership room on the ground floor.  There is NO ADMISSION at the Springs Preserve to attend this meeting and/or to tour the Gardens. Bring a guest and snacks, or more items for the raffle (if convenient).

GUEST SPEAKER:  Russ Thompson Sunkissed Horticultural Consultants.

TOPIC:  (Something like)  The Many Ways to Kill a Tree

Trees here in the Mojave are, as world wide, undeniably an important part of our environment. They provide the "anchor," the much needed shade, and strong, yet graceful architectural beauty to our landscapes. To most of us, trees are speechless. Thanks to Russ, we will learn some life saving lessons for these sometimes poorly treated plants. For those of you that don't know Russ, he's one of the most knowledgeable people in the tree industry here in the southwest. He recently retired from more than 30 years with the Clark County Department of Parks. You can learn more about Russ by visiting his website at http://sunkissedhorticulture.com/

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS

• Plans and responsibilities at Show & Sale April 20 and 21 at Moon-Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens ( http://www.moon-sunlandscapes.com )
• Plant or Plants of the Month - They will be included in the raffle. Agave Ferox
• Announcement of May Speaker and Program
• Walking Box Ranch Field Trip?

We look forward to seeing you, your friends, your neighbors, and even your relatives!

Topics of Discussion at the March 10 meeting include:

Come join us at the Springs Preserve, 2:00 PM. We care about the entire Mojave environmental experience as well as our cactus and succulents! Come join us to learn more! (Partnership room, ground floor). Bring a guest and snacks, or more items for the raffle (if convenient).

GUEST SPEAKER:  Brian J. Esposito Vice President of Business Development at Soil-Tech, Inc.

TOPIC:  Environmental Restorations

Soil-Tech, Inc. has been a pioneer in developing and providing specialized land restoration services for over two decades.  The company is the established leader in Mojave Desert restoration.  The company brings high levels of experience to the fore front addressing habitat restoration planning, dust and erosion control, revegetation and tortoise fencing.  As you can imagine Brian is a busy individual engaged in important and demanding industry.  He can be emailed at http://soil-tech.com/contact.php or by phone at 702 367-3888; cell 702 279 2475.  For more information about the company go to http://soil-tech.com/

Other Agenda Items:

• Plant of the Month:  Aloes will continue to be discussed and will be included in the raffle.

More Cool Weather Bloomers: Aloe  Mosaic, Aloe humilis & Hybrid Blue Elf, Aloe glauca, Aloe Sinkatana. This is the last ALOE month for a while. I apologize for not supplying photos of each of the "plants of the month."  I'm just not set up for decent photography. Some day, when there are fewer tasks on the "to do list," maybe I'll catch up. I hope to set up a POM Gallery. This might even serve as a plant inventory.

February 2013 Meeting

The February 2013  meeting of the Cactus and Succulent Society of Southern Nevada will be Sunday, February 10th at 2PM in the Partership room on the ground floor of the Desert Living Center at the Springs Preserve. Bring snacks if convenient. Bring a guest or two to help share information about our interests!

GUEST SPEAKER:  Paula Garrett

Topic:  Chasing Butterflies - A Mt. Charleston Research Project

(Why?  Because we care about the entire Mojave environmental experience!)

By way of introduction to those of you that may not know, Paula is a busy Research Scientist with the Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies and a Program Associate with the Walking Box Ranch/Public Lands Institute. She is also an important part of a beautiful family here in Las Vegas. When time allows she supports CSSSN with a variety of contributions. We are very happy to hear from her on this interesting subject. Paula can be reached at the following:      

paula.garrett@unlv.edu  University of Nevada, Las Vegas  

4505 S. Maryland Parkway   Las Vegas, NV 89154-4009

Office: (702)895-1421

Other Agenda Items

• We'll be continuing our discussion for a brief while on "seasonally pertinent" plants and MAINTENANCE - perhaps both interior and landscape.
• Plant of the Month:  More cool weather bloomers:  Aloe ferox, Haworthia resendeana, Howarthia turgida, and Faucaria tigrina (Tiger's Jaw)